Browns Injury News: Cribbs, Hillis Listed as Questionable for Dolphins Game

A nice and calm fall Friday evening for Browns fans became a little unnerving last night when the Browns listed team leaders Joshua Cribbs and Peyton Hillis as questionable for Sunday afternoon’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.  A steady week of practice coming off of the first win of the season took an unexpected turn when both were held out of practice.  It came as a surprise to everyone in the media, as there had been no signs of injury issues throughout the week.

Cribbs was scratched with an apparent groin injury, while Hillis was held out and sent home because of illness.  The Cribbs injury should be more alarming, as he’s started this season with a bang, capturing the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his a 52 yard kickoff return and 43 yard punt return led to two Browns scores against the Colts.  If you can point to one player as being responsible for the W, Cribbs was certainly that guy last week (not to mention, he also had a stellar showing in the opener against the Bengals).

If the Cribbs injury is serious enough to hold him out on Sunday, Jordan Norwood would return punts and rookie corner Buster Skrine would be your kickoff return man.  It’s likely we will not have any clarity on the injury until Sunday morning before kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

As for Hillis, coach Pat Shurmur said, despite the ‘questionable’ rating, he’s confident that Hillis will be able to go on Sunday.  Hillis was sent home from Berea to rest and get more fluids.  After a week in which he was MIA in Indy, the Browns have said they would like to get Montario Hardesty more touches.  This speed bump for Hillis should provide Hardesty those increased opportunities.

As we noted here yesterday, Hillis is in the middle of contract negotiations with the Browns.  He’s certainly not looking to decrease his playing time, even if it’s done in his best interest to avoid a late-season slow down, as we saw in 2010.

“I don’t really feel like I need a breather.  I think of myself as a hard worker, and I don’t want to get out of the game. But for your body, you probably should. I’m open to anything. Montario is a good back. If that’s what the coach wants, then that’s what they’re going to get.”

Montario has emphasized that he’s ready to roll – and he’ll need to be as the Browns face what has been one of the worst defenses in the league on Sunday.

In addition to Cribbs and Hillis, tackle Tony Pashos was once again listed as questionable – he’s more unlikely to make the start, with Artis Hicks filling in.  Mohammed Massaquoi was also listed as questionable with an ankle injury but he’s stated he will be ready to go.

Between Cribbs, Hillis, and Massaquoi, that’s a lot of offensive production being slotted in the “questionable” column.  The Dolphins D has struggled and this is a golden opportunity for the Browns to get their first home win of the season. Here’s hoping the  Friday pains are gone come Sunday.